LAKEPORT — A 91-year-old Lakeport woman was reportedly victimized and lost $3,800 to con artists operating out of New York, according to officials.
Lakeport Police Department (LPD) Officer Mike Sobieraj investigated the case Saturday. The two con artists were using the “grandparent scam,” according to an LPD press release.
The Lakeport woman received a phone call in the morning on Nov. 14 from a woman who reportedly claimed to be her granddaughter, according to LPD.
The suspect allegedly told the victim she had been arrested and needed money wired to New York to post bail. A man then reportedly got on the phone and told the victim he was the arresting officer and said she needed to wire money for bail. The victim made two Western Union wire transfers of $1,900 on Nov. 14 believing it was her grandchild in trouble before learning it was a scam, the release stated.
For information, visit www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2012/april/grandparent_040212 for an FBI report on scams and how to avoid them.
